Mission and Wellbeing (AP)

I would like to warmly welcome back all our returning students and welcome our Year 7 and new students and their families. The following information is provided to support families in ensuring a smooth transition for their children. 

MISSION 

COMMENCEMENT MASS

Our Commencement Mass will be held on Wednesday 19th February, at 10.15 am in the College Hall. All parents and families are welcome to join us on this special occasion to mark the beginning of the year.  

Attached is a flyer that outlines some information to help our families feel at home in our Catholic community. 

PASTORAL CARE & WELLBEING

Students and staff expect to work in a safe, secure and supportive environment. The expectations shown below ensure all learning spaces are settled and productive. These expectations work in conjunction with our Mercy values of Respect, Compassion, Justice, Excellence and Hospitality. The expectations are displayed in all classrooms and are clearly stated in the Student Planner.

STUDENTS WHO BECOME ILL AT SCHOOL

Students do get sick while at school. We have a sick bay where students can be attended to and monitored. The Office staff regularly contact parents when a child is sick. Any student who is feeling unwell must report to sick bay. 

As per our Mobile Phone Policy, students should not use their phones to contact parents during school hours.  The students must go to the office where the office staff can contact home. It is difficult when parents arrive at the college office to collect their child, and the office staff are unaware that the student is ill and then have to find the student somewhere in the school. This can be very disruptive for the Office staff. It would be appreciated if our policy were followed.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY 

Students who choose to bring their mobile phones, smart devices, and other related technology devices to school must adhere to the following procedures. These procedures include all times students are under the supervision of MCC staff (e.g., excursions, camps, travelling to and from school events). The principal's decision on all phones, smart devices, and related technology will be final. The Principal reserves the right to allow an individual student to use their device for medical monitoring or other such purposes. 

Mobile phones are valuable items, and their owners are responsible for them. The College will not accept responsibility for the loss, theft, or damage of a phone. 

Procedure

• Phones must be turned off upon arrival at school in the morning and may be switched on again after classes at 3.10pm. 
• Students are welcome to leave their phone in the office each day or place on the teacher desk / phone tub each lesson 
• If it is necessary for parents or carers to make contact during school hours this must be done in the usual manner through the School Office. 
• Students must not lend their phones to other students during school hours. 
• Students can only use their phone with the permission of a teacher, for example when used for educational purposes during a lesson, using eftpos at the canteen and office. 
• After 3.10pm, while being supervised on school grounds, students may use their phone to listen to music, check messages and make calls.
• Students must adhere to our Social Media policy. Accessing social media (such as but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc) text messaging, phone calls, Facetime or similar, accessing apps, streaming movies, listening to music etc and are not allowed. 
• Students are not to take photos or videos at any time at the college or at any time in school uniform. 
• Students found using phones or other related technology devices  during school time without permission will incur the following consequences: 
  
  1st Offence: 
• The teacher will confiscate the phone and place it in the office. 
• The teacher is to record the incident on Compass as a Minor Behaviour (Detention Outcome)
• Students may collect the phone at the end of the day.
  2nd Offence 
• The teacher will confiscate the phone and place it in the office. 
• The teacher is to record the incident on Compass as a Minor Behaviour (Detention Outcome)
• The Year Coordinator or Pastoral Care Coordinator will contact the parents 
• Students may collect the phone at the end of the day. 
• Student is placed on Stage 1
  3rd Offence 

• The teacher will confiscate the phone and place it in the office. 

• The teacher is to record the incident on Compass as a Minor Behaviour (Detention Outcome)
• The Year Coordinator or Pastoral Care Coordinator will contact parents 
• The phone is to be collected by the parent/carer - not the student. 
• The student is placed on Stage 2
• The student is to hand their phone in to the front office for a week

Ongoing and repeated behaviours will be addressed by the Year Coordinator or the Leader of Pastoral Care as per our Whole School Student Management Guidelines. 

Please note: 

The following is an extract from the Terms and Conditions section of the College Enrolment form signed by parents/guardians: 

1.3 The Parent/Guardian agrees not to engage in social media or allow children to engage in social media that disparages of brings the school or its employees into disrepute, Further the Parent/Guardian acknowledges the right of the school to suspend or terminate an enrolment in the event that social media statements are made that defame or disparage the school, employees or the Roman Church.

MUSIC DEVICES/EAR PHONES 

Students may need to use music devices and headphones/earbuds at times in class. This is only to occur with permission from the teacher. Students may not use these devices at lunch or recess. If they are used inappropriately or at the wrong time, the item will be confiscated and placed in the Office for collection by the parent/carer as per the Mobile Phone Policy. 

BANNED ITEMS 

Chewing gum, bubble gum, matches or lighters, cigarettes, e-cigarettes (vapourisers), alcohol, drugs, knives and other weapons, liquid paper, aerosol cans, fireworks/crackers, water bombs, inappropriate printed and electronic material and other such items as the Principal may determine to be unsafe or nuisance items, are banned from McAuley Catholic College.

Kathy Warby
Assistant Principal - Mission and Wellbeing